Derwent day of reckoning

ONE or two placings in tomorrow’s final race for the Derwent Sailing Squadron/ Quantum Sailing Autumn Short-Handed Series will decide the winners of five of the six divisions.

The popular shorthanded series restricts crew numbers to three for Division 1 (larger yachts) and two for the other five divisions, two of which are non-spinnaker. Traditionally, it is also known as the “twohanded and three-handed world championships” and is one of the few regattas of its kind in Australia.

While only two yachts have contested Division 1 (War Games and Oskana) the other divisions have attracted highly competitive fleets. So far, Wayne Banks-Smith’s Farr 40 War Games from the DSS has won three out of four races.

Going into tomorrow’s final race in Division 2 (spinnakers), Tom McDonald’s Whoopdido (DSS) and Mark Millhouse’s Trouble (BYC) are equal on 11 points.

It’s almost as close in Division 6 (SB20 sports boats) with Piste (Greg Rowlings, RYCT) on eight points and Wicked (Nick Rogers, DSS/ RYCT) on nine points.

In Division 3 (nonspinnaker) it is also a onepoint margin at the top of the leaderboard, with Jigsaw (Scott Morrison, DSS) just ahead of Wildfire (David Berechree, BYC). In Division 4 (spinnaker), Epoxy Warrier (Matthieu Mongin, DSS) has a two-point lead from Zest (Matt Westland, BYC) with another point to Serenity (Graham Hall, DSS).

Two points separate the BYC husband-and-wife crew of Steve and Trina Davidson from the BYC aboard Dynamo from Rotary (Norm Brundle, DSS) in Division 5 (nonspinnaker).